Bills for April heating were sent to Vilnius residents: the amounts are significantly lower

In April, the price of heat in Vilnius was the lowest during this heating season: a kilowatt hour of heat cost residents 5.96 cents without VAT. Compared to March (6.97 ct/kWh without VAT), the price of heat decreased by 16 percent. Compared to last April, when a kilowatt hour of heat cost 7.56 cents without VAT, the price of heat fell by a fifth (21%). Considering the period of the entire heating season, according to the data of the Lithuanian Energy Agency, Vilnius maintained the lowest heat price among the capitals of the Baltic states.

“The month of April was unusual both in terms of its weather and the resulting situation. April 9 after announcing the end of the heating season, snow fell and the outdoor air temperature dropped, so the city resumed the heating season in response to the actual outdoor air temperature. However, some customers decided not to continue heating in their apartment buildings”, says Rūta Jasiulionienė, head of the VŠT Client Team.

According to the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service, April of this year was marked by sharp temperature jumps.

“In April, the average air temperature in Vilnius reached +9.1 °C. The month started with record warm weather, but later the temperature dropped by more than 20 degrees and more winter-like weather returned, with snowfall in some parts of the country. On cooler days, it was often cloudy and humid, so this strengthened the impression of coldness. Almost twice as much precipitation fell in Vilnius during the month than usual, and the sun shone almost a quarter shorter than is typical for this month,” says meteorologist Gytis Valaika.

The heat supplier points out that announcing the end of the heating season and then renewing it did not cost the residents anything extra, so the bills for the heating service are calculated as usual: by multiplying the amount of heat consumed by the price of heat.

“For 50 sq. m. the average April bill for heating an apartment in a renovated, energy-efficient apartment building is 17 EUR, in March customers paid 39 EUR, in April of the last heating season – 23 EUR. Residents of non-renovated, energy-inefficient apartment buildings will pay 29 EUR, when this service cost an average of 69 EUR in March, and 36 EUR last April. It is important to note that the services were provided for a different period of time, – says R. Jasiulionienė.

Residents of unrenovated apartment buildings always pay at least 40 percent. higher bills for heating, because more significant heat losses are experienced through leaky building structures. With the start of the warm season, residents of such buildings are recommended to consider with their neighbors the possibility of renovating the apartment building and thereby reducing heating costs. In the summer, it is also a good idea to check the condition of the heat point and other elements of the house’s internal heating system, which are the responsibility of house administrators or associations.

The heat supplier also started intensive preparations for the next heating season. By the fall, the entire heat supply network will be thoroughly checked with hydraulic tests and other necessary repairs. Currently, the largest pipeline reconstruction in the company’s history has already begun in the city, during which more than 8 km of pipelines will be replaced.

As a result of these works, the hot water supply will be temporarily interrupted for certain periods, so customers are invited to check in advance when this service will not be provided on the company’s website.